Boatless water skiing facility



W. C. DAVIS BOATLESS WATER SKIING FACILITY March 5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed April 2 1962 I. EH I m V NTOR WALLACE C. DAVIS March 5, 1963 w;c. DAVIS 3,080,164

BOATLESS WATER SKIING FACILITY Filed April 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 52Ill Fig. 5

I Will INVENTOR. .III I I WALLACE C. DAVIS Pig's March 5, 1963 w. c.DAws 3,080,164

BOATLESS WATER S KIING FACILITY Filed April 2, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet aINVENTOR. WALLACE C. DAVIS United Estates Patent 3,080,164 BOATLESSWATER KHNG FAQILITY Wallace C. Davis, San Diego, Qalif. (6214 BonnerDrive, Hazel Del, Vancouver, Wash.) Filed Apr. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 184,089Claims. (Cl. 272-32) The present invention relates generally to sportsand more particularly to a boatless water skiing facility.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a facility for waterskiing without the use of boats, skiers being towed around a closedchannel by a power driven cart unit under complete control at all times.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water skiing facilitywhich will allow a number of skiers to Ski simultaneously, any of theskiers being free to leave the channel at any time, but the facilitybeing operable for continuous skiing for prolonged periods.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water skiing facilityhaving provision for picking up fallen skiers as rapidly as possible.

A further object of this invention is to provide a Water skiing facilityhaving training sections for teaching the basic principles of skiingbefore graduating to the continuous channel.

Finally, it is an object to provide a water skiing facility of theaforementioned character which is safe and convenient to operate with aminimum of personel and supervision.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements andportions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification,particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawingswhich form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the complete facility;

FEGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FlGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a portion of FIGURE FEGURE 6 is a viewsimilar to a portion of FIGURE 3, showing an alternative structure;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIGURE 1;and

PZGURE 8 is an enlarged view in the direction of arrows d-5 of FIGURE 1.

The water skiing facility is, of necessity, of considerable size, butmay be constructed by conventional methods on a suitable plot of land,the major portions of the structure being of concrete or equivalentmaterials. The facility includes a main channel it), preferably in theform of an oval to provide straight-aways and semi-circular ends,although any other closed course may be used. The channel iii has anupright inner Wall 12 and an upwardly and outwardly sloping bed 14,which may be of sand to reduce cost, the channel being filled with waterto a suitable depth and the bed sloping up beyond the water line toprovide a peripheral landing area 16 for skiers to leave the water, asin FIGURE 2. On top of the inner wall 12 is a continuous track 18, ofrails or similar guide means, following the main channel and riding onsaid track is a wheeled tow cart 2% powered by any suitable motor orpropulsion means. The tow cart 20 has a seat 22 for an operator, so thatskiers being towed can be observed at all times in case of falls oraccidents. The

. tracted as needed, the drums being Efiddihd Patented Mar. 5, lhiifiexact configuration of the tow cart will depend on the power and sizeneeded and the type of power unit used.

Extending outwardly from the tow cart Zil is a rigid arm or frame 24having a central longitudinal beam 26, the frame being suitably bracedto withstand the loads. The inner end of frame 24 is attached to the towcart 20 by corner brackets '23 and held by pins 3i), as in FIGURE 4, theouter end being supported by cables 32 extending from the top of saidtow cart. Spaced along beam 26 are a plurality of yokes 34 pivotal onvertical pins 36, as in FlGURES 3 and 5. In each yoke 34- is secured aswivel fitting 38 pivotal about a horizontal axis, and attached to eachswivel fitting is a tow cable 4t} having a hand grip 42 at the other endthereof. Fixed to each tow cable 4t? adjacent its yoke 34 is a clip 44,from which a pair of limit cables 46 extend to lugs 48 fixed on eitherside of the yoke. The limit cables as have a certain amount of slack butlimit the swing of the tow cable and yoke, as indicated in broken linein FIGURE 5.

At one position in the inner wall 12, preferably near the center of oneof the straight portions of main channel Ill, is an inclined startingramp so from which skiers can start. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, theramp 5% extends down below the water level, allowing skiers to pick upinitial speed near the surface, the ramp being inclined on both sides sothat skiers can start in either direction. To facilitate continuousskiing without obstruction, the ramp 50 is retractable into a cavity 52in the inner wall 12, retraction being manual or power operateddepending on the size of the ramp.

Several skiers at a time can be towed, the actual number depending onthe width of the main channel it) and the length of frame 24. From thestarting ramp Ell, the tow cart 29 accelerates the skiers to therequired speed, after which the ramp can be retracted. The pivotingyokes 34 allow the skiers to swing out around the ends of the course,but the swing is limited to a safe a .ount by limit cables 46. If askier desires to stop he merely releases the hand grip 42 and ridesoutwardly to the landing area 16, as in the usual beaching maneuver.

If skiers should fall or spill it is desirable that they be picked upimmediately to prevent interruption of skiing. For this purpose aretrieving cart 54 also rides on track 18 a short distance behind towcart 26, said retrieving cart also being power driven and having anoutwardly extending arm as from which are suspended ladders 58,preferably pivoted at the top by hinges 60, as in FIG- URE 8. Tie cords62 can be attached to the ladders 58 for securcment of loose skis. Toreturn skiers to the inner wall 12 the arm 56 can be swung inwardly onhinges '64 at the inner end thereof as indicated in broken line inFIGURE 8, allowing the skiers to climb the ladders to the top of theWall.

The tow cart 2%, as illustrated, carries tow cables of a fixed lengthsuitable for normal skiing. If adjustable length is required thearrangement shown in FIGURE 6 may be used, in which the tow cart 64 isbasically similar to that previously described, but has a rigid arm 66carrying a plurality of cable drums 63 in brackets '74). Tow cables i2wound on drums 68 may be extended or repower driven, spring wound, ormanually operated according-to requirements.

With the arrangement illustrated, skiers can be towed in eitherdirection around the main channel it), enabling them to practice turnsin both directions. On the tow cart 20 the tow cables 4% can be swungover the top of frame 24 to extend on the other side, as indicated inbroken line in FIGURE 5. The cables 72 on tow cart 64 are easilyextended to either side of drums 68, although the arm 66 can be madereversible if necessary. When the retrieving cart '54 is not needed itmay be stored on a short siding track 74 at a convenient location alongtrack 1 allowing the tow cart to pass by.

To make the facility complete it is desirable to have provision fortraining skiers in the basic principles of the sport. The space enclosedby the main channel 10 is ample for several straight training channels76 having integral ramps 78 each end, three such channels beingillustrated as an example. At the sides of each training channel '76aretracks 80 on which is a small towcart 82 having a rigid tow bar 84extending across the-channel, as in FIGURES 1 and 2. The tow bar'84carries a plurality of short tow cables 86 having hand grips 88 andbeing attached to brackets 90, as in FIGURE 7. The tow carts 82 pullskiers in a straight line from one end of a training channel 76 to theother, providing practice in starting, balance and landing. Aftercompleting a run, the tow cables 86 are swung over to the other side oftow bar 84 and the tow cart is ready for a return run. The ramps 78ateither end handle starting and landing.

While tow cables 40 and 86 are described as flexible cables; it is alsofeasible to use rigid or semi-rigid rods in their place, particularly inplace of the short tow cables 86. The arrangement of the limit cables 46would still apply to red elements and could be used on the shorter towelements extending from training tow carts 82, so allowing limitedfreedom of swing in the training channe'ls.

The complete facility thus provides preliminary training in the straightchannels and advanced training in the main channel, under supervision ofthe tow cart operator. The main channel can also be used for continuouspleasure skiing, without the inconvenience of turbulence from a boat,the danger of other boats, or the danger of deep water for non-swimmers.In a large installation several tow carts could be used at spacedintervals to handle several groups of skiers simultaneously.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the inventiondisclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scopeof the invention, and that the specification and drawings are to beconsidered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled channel;

a track coextensive in length with said channel and adjacent saidchannel;

a powered towing vehicle operatively mounted on said track; said vehiclehaving an arm extending. over said channel;

and a pluralityof towing cables attached to said arm to be grasped byindividual skiers.

2. A water skiing facility according to claim 1 wherein said channel hasan outwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending" beyond the water lineand providing a peripheral inclined landing area.

3. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner wall and an outwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclinedlanding area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to saidchannel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

and a plurality of towing cables attached to said arm for grasping byindividual skiers.

4. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner wall and an outwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclinedlanding area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive withand adjacent.

to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

said cablesbeing. pivotally secured to swing laterally;

and limiting means connected tosa-id cables. to limit the swing thereof.

5. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main" channel;

said channel having an inner wall; and an outwardly and upwardlyinclined bed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheralinclined landing area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjasent to' saidchannel;

arpowered towing vehiclev operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

a ramp mounted on said inner wall and extending partially acnoss saidchannel;

said ramp being incl-ineddownwardly below the water in said channel.

6. A water skiing facility according to claim 5 wherein said ramp isretractable into said inner wall.

7. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner wall and an outwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclinedlanding area;

atrack on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to said channel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached tosaid arm;

a powered recovery vehicle operable on said tracks;

said recovery vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

and ladder means depending from said last mentioned arm foraccessibili-t yto skiers in the water.

8. A water skiing facility, comprising:

a closed, continuous, substantially water filled main channel;

said channel having an inner Wall and anoutwardly and upwardly inclinedbed extending beyond the water line to provide a peripheral inclinedlanding area;

a track on said inner wall coextensive with and adjacent to saidchannel;

a powered towing vehicle operable on said track;

said vehicle having an arm extending over said channel;

a plurality of skier towing cables attached to said arm;

a substantially straight training channel in the area enclosed by saidmain channel;

longitudinal track-s adjacent to said training channel;

a powered towing vehicle on said longitudinal tracks and having a towingbar extending across said'training channel;

and a plurality of short, skier towing cables attached to said towingbar.

9. A water skiing facility according to claim 8 wherein saidtnainingchannel has integral inclined ramps at both ends thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,604,055 Snowdcn July 22, 1952 2,918,280- Torbett et a1 Dec. 22, 1959--3,052,470 Pomagalski Sept.;4, 1962

1. A WATER SKIING FACILITY, COMPRISING: A CLOSED, CONTINUOUS,SUBSTANTIALLY WATER FILLED CHANNEL; A TRACK COEXTENSIVE IN LENGTH WITHSAID CHANNEL AND ADJACENT SAID CHANNEL; A POWERED TOWING VEHICLEOPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID TRACK; SAID VEHICLE HAVING AN ARM EXTENDINGOVER SAID CHANNEL;